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AP Interview: Sergiño Dest says 'it is my time' at Barcelona
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)BARCELONA – Amid the turmoil at Barcelona, United States defender Sergiño Dest has found his patch to flourish. The former Ajax player arrived in the aftermath of Barcelona’s devastating 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League in August. Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman immediately put him to work filling in for injured fullbacks on both sides of the team’s defense. So that is why I chose Barça,” Dest said about becoming the first American player to sign for Barcelona’s senior club in early October. “I just worry about the team, and making sure we win the league and the Champions League,” Dest said.
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Italy back in contention; England out of Nations League
(AP Photo/Francisco Seco)ROME – Three years after an embarrassing failure to qualify for the World Cup, Italy is back in contention with the best in Europe. England, meanwhile, is already out of contention for the Nations League finals with one round of matches still to play. In all, more than 20 Italy players were unavailable due to the virus and injury. Jorginho converted a penalty for Italy midway through the first half after Andrea Belotti was brought down inside the area. WINNING WALESWales is the only unbeaten team in League B following a 1-0 win over Ireland, courtesy of David Brooks’ second-half header.
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A semi-private viewing of Ronaldo as Italian soccer resumes
Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo stands in front of the empty stands during an Italian Cup second leg soccer match between Juventus and AC Milan at the Allianz stadium, in Turin, Italy, Friday, June 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)TURIN Cristiano Ronaldo bellowed out a loud expletive when he missed a chance at the end of the first half in Italys first soccer match in more than three months. But after more than 34,000 deaths in Italy related to the virus and 95 days without soccer, the ball was rolling again. But those cheers on the Juventus bench turned to loud groans when Ronaldo hit the left post with his spot kick. Juventus coach Mauricio Sarri was asked about the game, asked about Ronaldo, asked about other soccer details.